The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts

Dr. Haver emphasizes the daily habits and behaviors that are essential for maintaining good health during and after menopause. Drawing from her personal experience and professional observations, she acknowledges the gaps in her medical training related to menopause, explaining how her understanding evolved after experiencing menopause herself and engaging with patients who faced similar symptoms. She highlights that menopause is not just about hot flashes and night sweats; it involves a wide range of physical and emotional changes, from joint pain to cholesterol issues. Dr. Haver notes that menopause health isn’t achieved by a single treatment but by adopting consistent, healthy behaviors across multiple aspects of life.

Dr. Haver organizes her recommendations around four key areas: nutrition, exercise, pharmacology, and supplementation. First, she highlights the importance of anti-inflammatory nutrition to combat the increased inflammation that often accompanies declining estrogen levels. She advises focusing on nutrient-dense foods like healthy fats, lean meats, fiber, and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables while limiting alcohol and processed foods. This approach helps prevent weight gain and bone loss and reduces the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Haver stresses that strength- and endurance-building exercises are vital to counter the muscle and bone loss that occurs during menopause.